NEW DELHI: There has been growing speculation about Virat Kohli’s future in One Day Internationals (ODIs), with reports suggesting he might retire after India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia. However, former India player and Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate Dinesh Karthik has strongly dismissed these rumours, revealing that Kohli is fully focused on playing in the ODI World Cup 2027.
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In a video shared on Instagram, Karthik highlighted Kohli’s dedication and commitment to the national team. He said the star batter is serious about his preparation and has been training hard even during his break from international cricket
"He is keen to play the World Cup. That is number one. In London, he was training during this big layoff that he has had after a long time in his life. I also know he was practicing cricket easily 2-3 sessions a week.”
Karthik added that this shows how determined Kohli is to extend his ODI career and be ready for the 2027 tournament:
“Now that tells you the man is serious about wanting to play this World Cup.”
He also praised Kohli’s ability to perform under pressure, emphasizing the veteran’s value to the team.
“And if he is around, there is no tension, according to me. Because he knows what it takes to perform under pressure. And he has done that time and time again. And I am very confident he will do it again.”
Karthik’s comments somehow put an end to retirement speculation, making it clear that Kohli is far from finished in ODIs. With his experience and match-winning ability, he may remain a central figure in India’s plans as they look ahead to the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
